Ever since August last year, when these measures have been officially applied, CFD providers have been searching for ways to get around them, and more specifically the leverage cap to 1:30 for retail clients. Some of them are advertising to such clients the possibility of becoming professional clients upon request and thus becoming eligible to use higher leverage ratios. Another tactic forex broker use is moving their customers’ accounts to an intra-group third-country entity.

ESMA stated it is aware of those malpractices and will monitor closely CFD providers. The regulator also implied it is possible to introduce “other Union measures” it deems appropriate.

Ever since August last year, when these measures have been officially applied, CFD providers have been searching for ways to get around them, and more specifically the leverage cap to 1:30 for retail clients. Some of them are advertising to such clients the possibility of becoming professional clients upon request and thus becoming eligible to use higher leverage ratios. Another tactic forex broker use is moving their customers’ accounts to an intra-group third-country entity.

ESMA stated it is aware of those malpractices and will monitor closely CFD providers. The regulator also implied it is possible to introduce “other Union measures” it deems appropriate.